I was delighted and honoured to be asked to review this book as the previous edition profoundly influenced my learning and teaching of mathematics. I initially borrowed it from the library as a first year undergraduate during my Christmas vacation and was so amazed by it that I immediately gave a talk on the subject to our newly-formed mathematics society . The notion that ‘being stuck is an honourable state’ and the concept of ‘specialisation’ changed my way of working and had an immediate impact on my mathematical learning. Since then I have used this book as the basis for a first year undergraduate course and frequently refer to it when tutoring my mathematics students.
This is the second edition of Thinking Mathematically. The first was published in 1982 and revised in 1985. Whilst this edition has some additions and a few changes, fans will be pleased to know that the bulk of the text (including the problems and cartoons) remains the same. The most obvious change is that of the typesetting and formatting. Although this might seem to be purely cosmetic, I feel this has greatly enhanced the book’s readability thus enabling it to reach a wider audience. For some of us, the name of John Mason may be enough to encourage us to read on, an accessible typeface, interesting cover and clear signposting is very important for today’s undergraduates who may not readily take to the concept of reading a mathematics book for pleasure!
I was delighted and honoured to be asked to review this book as the previous edition profoundly influenced my learning and teaching of mathematics. I initially borrowed it from the library as a first year undergraduate during my Christmas vacation and was so amazed by it that I immediately gave a talk on the subject to our newly-formed mathematics society . The notion that ‘being stuck is an honourable state’ and the concept of ‘specialisation’ changed my way of working and had an immediate impact on my mathematical learning. Since then I have used this book as the basis for a first year undergraduate course and frequently refer to it when tutoring my mathematics students.
This is the second edition of Thinking Mathematically. The first was published in 1982 and revised in 1985. Whilst this edition has some additions and a few changes, fans will be pleased to know that the bulk of the text (including the problems and cartoons) remains the same. The most obvious change is that of the typesetting and formatting. Although this might seem to be purely cosmetic, I feel this has greatly enhanced the book’s readability thus enabling it to reach a wider audience. For some of us, the name of John Mason may be enough to encourage us to read on, an accessible typeface, interesting cover and clear signposting is very important for today’s undergraduates who may not readily take to the concept of reading a mathematics book for pleasure!
